The Dollhouse Through The Years

A dollhouse is a miniature home that has primarily been a favorite toy among children, especially little girls and a collectible item for many adults. It was introduced sometime in the seventeenth and was originally created as a plaything for wealthy children. Although dollhouses may appeal to children and adults alike, it should be supervised among children three years old and under to prevent possible risks of choking and other hazards.

Dollhouses have been set to a number of scales over time. During the twentieth century, the popular scale of the dollhouse was three quarters, wherein ¾ inch is equivalent to 1 foot, otherwise known as 1:18. Examples of popular brands that use this scale are Barton, Caroline's Home, Dol-Toi, Lundby, Marx, Petite Princess, Plasco, Renwal, T. Cohn and Triang. There are a few 3/4-scale brands that may also run to about a scale of 1:16. During the mid twentieth century in Germany, the popular scale for a dollhouse was 1/10, wherein 1 inch is equivalent to 10 inches. At present, dollhouses from Germany still remain in the same scale, although there are other dollhouses with a scale of 1:12. In addition, there is also the 1/16th scale, also known as the Playscale, which is proportional to Barbie dolls.

In the 1970s, the standard scale for adult dollhouse collectors was 1/12th. Other available scales were 1/24th, 1/48th or a quarter inch scale, and 1:144, also known as dollhouse for a dollhouse. In the 1950s, Marx dollhouses ran in half-inch scale but it was only after 2002 that it became widely available when it was introduced as “collector’s” houses. Since then, the smaller scales gained popularity and are now more commonplace in the United States and Britain as well. The scale of one inch is popular among an overwhelming majority of contemporary dollhouses.

The materials by which a dollhouse is made of include fiberboard, metal, plastic and wood. Lundby dollhouse furniture was usually made of plastic. More elaborate and contemporary dollhouses are usually made of medium density fiberboard or plywood. A tab-and-slot dollhouse, which is usually lightweight and cheaper in cost, is made of thinner plywood held together by tabs and slots as well as glue. However, it usually often requires several exterior treatments such as siding and shingles to create the best look possible. A dollhouse that is made of heavier plywood is typically held together with nails and glue as well. Most dollhouses in the United States come with a sophisticated front façade and an open back while British dollhouses have hinged front, which opens to reveal what is inside. At present, more imagination, inspiration and imagination have made the dollhouse even more modern making it an exciting play and display item.